actuate

[ ak-choo-eyt ]

/ ˈæk tʃuˌeɪt /

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See synonyms for: actuate / actuation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ac·tu·at·ed, ac·tu·at·ing.

to incite or move to action; impel; motivate: actuated by selfish motives.

to put into action; start a process; turn on: to actuate a machine.

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Origin of actuate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin āctuāt(us) “reduced to action” (past participle of āctuāre ), equivalent to Latin āctu(s) (see act) + -ātus -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM actuate

ac·tu·a·tion

[ak-choo-ey-shuhn], /ˌæk tʃuˈeɪ ʃən/, nounde·ac·tu·ate, verb (used with object), de·ac·tu·at·ed, de·ac·tu·at·ing.self-ac·tu·at·ing, adjectiveun·ac·tu·at·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH actuate

activate, actuate

Words nearby actuate

actually, actuals, actual sin, actuarial, actuary, actuate, actuation, actuator, act up, act upon, actus reus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use actuate in a sentence

The biggest decision you’ll have to make around “typing feel” is whether or not you want a mechanical keyboard, named for the physical mechanisms under each key “actuate” or trigger each input.
The best keyboards for Macs of 2022|Don Melanson|February 26, 2022|Popular-Science
Mechanical keys, which use a physical switch to “actuate” your inputs, were prized for their superior typing feel and the reliability of a physical switch.
The best wireless mechanical keyboards of 2022|Chris Coke|February 15, 2022|Popular-Science
You could customize how your keyboard sounds, how hard you have to press each key to actuate it, how much that key “fights back” with each push, how many keys you want to have, and many other characteristics.
A beginner’s guide to the world of custom mechanical keyboards|Sandra Gutierrez G.|February 13, 2022|Popular-Science
As with mechanical keyboards, the switches in the V2 Chroma use a physical mechanism to “actuate” an input, sending the signal to your Xbox or PC.
Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma Xbox controller review: A wired revival|Mike Epstein|December 3, 2021|Popular-Science

Demand for rim-brake wheels and cable-actuated shifting has plummeted at the high end of the sport.
Integrated Road Bikes Perform Better, but at What Cost?|agintzler|December 3, 2021|Outside Online
He sought to penetrate the human heart, and to reveal the secret motives which actuate the conduct of men.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
To make life a success, the glory of God must be the ruling motive to actuate us in all the walks of life.
Choice Readings for the Home Circle|Anonymous
My agitation on Sunday week during and after your departure called forth reflections which actuate my present conduct.
The Letters of the Duke of Wellington to Miss J. 1834-1851|Duke of Wellington
Only suppose that nation to possess the same feelings which actuate every breast in this House; which actuate the American people.
Abridgement of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856 (4 of 16 vol.)|Various
If thoughts do not actuate it, your distrustful fears and cares will vanish.
A Christian Directory (Volume 1 of 4)|Richard Baxter

British Dictionary definitions for actuate

actuate

/ (ˈæktʃʊˌeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to put into action or mechanical motion

to motivate or incite into actionactuated by unworthy desires

Derived forms of actuate

actuation, nounactuator, noun

Word Origin for actuate

C16: from Medieval Latin actuātus, from actuāre to incite to action, from Latin āctus act

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

actuate

Origin of actuate

OTHER WORDS FROM actuate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH actuate

Words nearby actuate

Words related to actuate

How to use actuate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for actuate

Derived forms of actuate

Word Origin for actuate